Democrats' most wanted donors

Democratic super PACs are anxious for uber-donors to cut big checks — and they’ve got their eye on a list of likely suspects to come off the sidelines.

Republicans boast 15 donors who’ve given $1 million or more this cycle — compared to Democrats, who have a single million-plus dollar donor (plus a $1 million pledge from comedian Bill Maher). At least 10 other Democratic mega-donors are seriously lagging behind their 2004 and 2008 giving.

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The four remaining GOP presidential candidates and the biggest conservative super PAC, American Crossroads, had outraised the four main Democratic super PACs by $65.8 million — a ratio of nearly 6-1, according to the latest reports.

President Barack Obama’s campaign committee has outpaced the conservative super PACs, with $96.6 million in the bank, but Democrats are frustrated that their super PACs aren’t keeping up. They hope that once a clear opponent is in place, the trend will reverse and a handful of bellwether donors give in and pony up — opening the floodgates for mega fundraising.

“There has been an increase in interest and enthusiasm for our effort and I suspect that once there is a GOP nominee, that will only increase,” said Bill Burton, co-founder of Priorities USA Action, the super PAC pushing for President Barack Obama’s reelection.

Here’s a list of POLITICO’s 10 big Democratic donors to watch, compiled using data from the Center for Responsive Politics:

The Wild Cards: A handful of the richest Democratic supporters haven’t been clear about their plans for the super PAC supporting President Barack Obama, although they’ve been aggressively courted by Democratic donors. If they give, it could be an immediate boon to Democrats and possibly a reassuring sign to skeptical liberal donors.

George Soros — The billionaire Democratic megadonor contributed $23.7 million in 2004 to Democratic 527 groups supporting Sen. John Kerry’s presidential bid and opposing President George W. Bush. But so far this cycle, he’s donated a total of just $175,000 to two Democratic super PACs aimed at aiding House and Senate candidates. Soros hasn’t donated to the pro-Obama super PAC and has publicly expressed disappointment with the president.